Marauders - Always - Part One

A Good Moon Rising

Sirius Black wasted no time in visiting James and Lily after Remus fell into a peaceful sleep as the wolfsbane kicked in. After gently brushing the curls off Remus's forehead and putting the bottles of potion safely away in their bedroom, Sirius shouted a "see ya in a bit" to Peter Pettigrew and hurried to the Potters by floo network.

James and Dora were on the couch working on how to knit sleeves for the jumper they were making Remus for Christmas, drinking tea out of a lovely set that Sirius recognized as Dora's brown-gold floral pattern. James was biting his tongue, concentrating on the skill he was learning, when Sirius came into the room in a puff of smoke. He nearly stabbed himself with the needle trying to hide the jumper in case Remus followed, and when he didn't, James shook his head at Sirius, "You really ought to announce yourself, Padfoot."

"Alright - how's this: NOW PRESENTING THE MOST GORGEOUS MEMBER OF YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS GROUP... THE ONE YOU ALL WISH TO SHAG --" he paused slightly seeing Dora, but then shrugged and plowed on, "-- PLEASE GIVE A WARM ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND WELCOME TO YOUR LIVING ROOM... THE ONE, THE ONLY... SIRIUS BLACK!!!" He made noises imitating a largely cheering crowd and then responded as though to adoring fans, "Thank you! Thank you! I love you all; you're all so beautiful!"

James rolled his eyes as Dora laughed brightly as she got up and went to the kitchen to refresh her tea.

Lily came bounding down the stairs then, her hair bouncing. "I knew I heard Sirius!"

"Everyone from here to India heard Sirius," James said.

"Ask and you shall receive, Prongs," Sirius said, grinning, hugging Lily as she came over, freshly showered, her hair still wet and everything. She kissed Sirius's cheek and he made a face. "You changed your soap."

"I didn't," she said. "But I also didn't condition."

"Must be it," Sirius decided, "I have an announce--"

James cut him off, laughing, "Why do you know my wife's soap?"

"Hello? Dog?" Sirius rolled his eyes, then shrugged and said, "I have a major announcement to make!"

"A major announcement?" Lily asked, "What is it?"

Sirius checked that Dora was distracted in the next room, and lowered his tone (just in case). "Tomorrow is full moon," Sirius said. "And I've got Remus's wolfsbane potion - thank you for getting me in touch with Slughorn again for it, Lilith, he's pulled through despite my doubts."

"Ohhh excellent!" Lily grinned, "I'm so happy he was able to give you some of the potion!"

Sirius hadn't told her that Horace Slughorn had charged a premium fee. He had a feeling she'd scold him for paying the high sum and then go and kill Slughorn for charging it, and honestly Sirius didn't care if it had cost twice the amount he'd paid - for what he was about to say, he would have paid out the entire vault for a single dose:

"Having the wolfsbane means the wolf is tame, it means Remus keeps his mind. It means we don't even have to go out of doors."

James grinned.

Lily's eyes widened, "No?"

"No. He's as tame as a lapdog with it because the wolf doesn't even take over. He's our Remus, as harmless as Snuffles!"

Lily hesitated as James jumped up with a whooping cry of excitement. "Wait! Wait. Does this mean - do I - may I meet the werewolf?"

James and Sirius looked at one another. Then a grin slowly spread over Sirius's face. "I have a fucking brilliant idea."

"Let's hear it," James said.